Anyone who has small children or grandchildren (sometimes older, yikes!), knows that we cannot always be responsible for what words might come from their innocent mouths. Most of the time though, they are just repeating what they have heard from adults, their siblings, or from what they hear and watch on TV. Many times they don’t even understand what they are referring to and can actually be cute, if it is the first time and not too bad. However, when it isn’t so good, they must be corrected and reasoned with on why it should not be said again. Our girls never had a mouth washing, but I knew of it happening in another family. Even the most cautious parent cannot protect these little sponges from all the words they hear and pictures seen daily. Of course, showering our children with prayer to protect their minds is so very important now a day, because we do live in a fallen world.
I’m writing today, however, about a blessing and not a curse that my 21 month old granddaughter shared with us. We were visiting my parents; they are 87 and 85 and always welcome little and big visitors alike. In their kitchen on a wall next to a cupboard and table area is a picture of “Grace,” the peddler praying over his meal. As we were just spending time together, I suddenly noticed my granddaughter stop, look at the wall, and say as clear as a bell, “he is praying.” Wow!! Not only did she say it clearly, but she knew by looking at her face that she also understood what she was saying. They were wonderful words too me. Proverbs 15:26b says, “but the words of the pure are pleasant words.” Yes they were pleasant words and I know God was pleased. It was also a reminder for me to keep it simple in word and thought, as a child sees and believes. Luke 18:17; “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”